House Bill No. 164 aims to improve the regulation of migrant labor housing facilities in Texas by amending existing laws and introducing new provisions. A key change is the adjustment of civil penalties for violations, which will now be set at not less than $50 for each person occupying the facility in violation of the law, replacing the previous penalty of $200 for each day the violation occurs. The bill also expands enforcement avenues, allowing actions to be initiated by the department, county attorneys, the attorney general, or migrant agricultural workers under specific conditions. Additionally, it establishes a structured complaint process, mandates timely remediation of issues, and prohibits retaliation against individuals who file complaints, while allowing for the awarding of attorney's fees to prevailing parties in related lawsuits.

Furthermore, the bill mandates the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs to provide information in multiple languages, including English and Spanish, in regions with prevalent migrant labor housing facilities. It requires the department to conduct research by surveying migrant agricultural workers to identify common housing types and regions needing improved options. The bill sets a timeline for implementation, requiring the department to adopt necessary rules by March 1, 2026, and specifies that the changes will apply only to violations occurring on or after its effective date of September 1, 2025. The legislation includes amendments to Section 2306.933 and adds new sections (2306.934 to 2306.938) to the Government Code to facilitate these changes.

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